An Indian superstar-turned-politician is at the center of a massive row after 40 people died in a crush at his party's rally on Saturday.
Tens of thousands of people turned up at the campaign event held by Vijay in Karur district in Tamil Nadu state. The actor was in the middle of his speech when the crowd surged suddenly.
The tragedy has sparked a blame game, with the opposition accusing government officials of not deploying enough police personnel to control crowds.
Police officials have said that the rally's organizers, who are from Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, underestimated the anticipated crowd size and did not take enough precautions.
Who is Vijay?
With an acting career spanning decades, 51-year-old Vijay is one of the most popular actors in Tamil Nadu. Over the years, he has worked his way up to becoming one of the most bankable stars, with even films panned by critics becoming massive box-office hits.
Born Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar to a film director father and singer mother, he first played the hero in 1992's Naalaiya Theerpu. His smooth dance moves endeared him to audiences, cementing his place as a household name.
Why did he join politics?
There had been speculation around Vijay's political entry for years, with a fan club he launched performing credibly in the 2021 local elections. His decision to quit acting for full-time politics surprised many. Vijay's popularity mirrors that of other Tamil stars who successfully transitioned into politics.
Outlook After the Incident
Crushes at political rallies are common in India. In this case, Vijay's fans allege that his party was denied permission to hold the event at a safer venue. Calls for arrests have been made, but the Tamil Nadu government is cautious due to Vijay's immense popularity.
A one-member commission of inquiry has been set up to investigate the cause of the crush. Meanwhile, a financial compensation for victims has been announced, although the situation could impact Vijay's political ambitions.
